Kadri Shooting Out The Lights

Maple Leaf fans get happy.

If Nazem Kadri’s play in the 2010 OHL Playoffs has been any indication of how his transition will go into the NHL, then he’s going to be one popular player amongst “Leaf Nation”.

He’s on a blistering pace eleven games into the second round scoring 25 points, with 16 of those coming as assists.

Something he’s not known for, Kadri learned throughout the season that players have been queuing in on him and he’s needed to use his teammates to generate offense.

“Sometimes i’m getting two or three men on me,” he explained. ” So if that happens it leaves one or two guys open.  I’m just doing a good job of finding the open man and their putting it in the back of the net.”

When I spoke with Kadri earlier in the season, he mentioned how Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke wanted him to work on his defensive game.

Being a +5 so far in these playoffs, Kadri agreed that his and the Knights’ improved defensive play were transitioning into more offensive chances.

However, after last night’s 8-4 loss to the Kitchener Rangers – putting them down in the series 3-2 – Kadri reiterated how important the defensive side of the puck is.

“Hockey is a two way game, ” he said.  “If you’re one dimensional it hurts you a lot.  Kitchener is a good team.  We give them full credit but we just have to take a few things from this loss and learn quickly.”

He was also quick to deflect a question about his offensive output and his chances of making the Leafs next season, deciding instead to praise his teammates.

“I’m getting some bounces right now,” he explained.  “I’m moving my feet but they’re sending guys after me so I’ve had to find ways to use my teammates more often.  They’re doing a good job of supporting me.”

So far, the last three games of this series have seen scores of 8-4, 8-7, and 8-5 for a total of 40 goals.

Kadri believes it’s going to come down to whose goaltender is better for the rest of the series.

“You have two teams that are so offensively gifted it’s hard to keep the puck out of the net,” he said.  “We’re expecting big things from our goaltender and I’m sure they are from theirs.  They’re going to step it up and our team has to step it up too.”

With game six set for Saturday night in Kitchener, Kadri knows that his team needs to get back to what has gotten them to this point in the playoffs.

“We just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing all season, ” he said.  “We have to keep it simple and we’ll be ok.”

He does however recognize that it’s going to take a full team effort in order to prevent a second straight disappointing playoff year.

“You win and lose as a team.  They just got the better of us tonight.”

In the end, if Saturday’s game is Kadri’s last in the OHL, he will have made great strides this season towards getting himself on the Leafs opening day roster next season.

Fans – and management – can only hope his offense prowess comes with him.